monomyth project

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FC: Illegitimate Monomyth Project By: Madison Shaw

1: The Call | Brian grew up with the struggles of a polygamist family. He was the youngest of 31 children, and the son of the third and least valued wife. After being continually overlooked throughout his childhood he began seeing flaws in the belief of Polygamy. He found out his father was molesting his multiple sisters, and being unfaithful to his wives. He wished to leave for years on end, and one day his mother comes to him offering a way out, to leave this home (Mackert 178-179).

2: Crossing the Threshold | When Brian was thirteen years old when he chooses to leave the family along with his mother. He finds himself in a whole new world. He soon finds that someone does understand the pain he's dealing with and the troubled times he's had. And that is God. Brian found that his love is in God and all he's done. Christianity is where his life and faith belongs. He feels fulfilled and found something he never had before, after he switched to Christianity, "But God is working his redemptive hand in my life and making all things new. Mary was right all those years ago. God is the father i always needed. (Mackert276)"

3: Supernatural Aid | God lead him through all of these trials even when he didn't realize it. Once Brian had done all he thought he do possibly wrong, between falling apart from his family, doing drugs, drinking, and becoming homeless. He still found his way to God from his brothers and friends(Mackert186). God showed him what a great life and after life he'd have with him. Brian new that was all he ever wanted was to be loved,and God unconditionally loves him. He led him through his polygamist life, his runaway life, and will continue to lead him and love him through this new Christian life.

4: Road of Trials | Growing up as the youngest in a house full of children all begging for a single fathers attention was very difficult (Mackert71). Brian finds himself struggling to follow the rules, and stay with the family faith. He is continually overseen by his father, even when he does extremely well, or the exact opposite. He wishes to follow in his older brothers footsteps and win their affection, if he can't gain his father's affection, but realizes it could never be the same(Mackert160-161). He is lost and without hope in a world he feels is not where he belongs, and there couldn't possible be anyone who understands.

5: The Goddess | I see Brian's mother Myra as his goddess. She was always the only one in his family to truly care for him. She showed compassion for him, especially since his father never wanted him born in the first place. She always did what was best for him, buying new school clothes, food, and saving him from a life with his fatherI(Mackert194). She was the one who led him through his hard times, and kept hope on his mind. She showed him what it truly meant to be a man, love his family, and stand for what he believes in. She had a huge impact on his life, showing him exactly how to live.

6: Apotheosis | Brian feels as though he has found the love and affection he never thought he could receive. God leads him, loves him, and gives him hope, much more than his "earthly" father did. He finds God to listen and answer him, "i prayed for a testimony about Mormonism, but God didn't answer (Mackert289)." Now he sees how much he needed God, and how strongly he feels against polygamy now. He feels like he belongs.

7: Refusal of the Return | After Brian leaves his polygamist home to live alone with his mother, Myra soon remarries. She decides to marry Wayne, a man who appears to be a great and caring man, and Brian hopes to build a relationship with him. But Wayne begins to drift, staying away from Brian and his mother for months at a time(Mackert194)! And as this is happening Brian goes off with his friend Paul, on a rebellion streak. Off to parties smoking, and drinking for days and days. Myra gets tired of being mistreated and left alone, so goes to the council to get divorced once more. But still she cannot handle Brian and his actions, and sends him back home to his father. Brian becomes angered and eager to see if anything new might come out of this. But nothing did. He realized how much of a hypocrite his dad really is. Even though they bent many rules, Brian was soon kicked out of that home, and of course thrilled with the outcome. Happy to be leaving that home, heading out on his own (Mackert 203-204).

8: Master of Two Worlds | In the end Brian realizes he can find love in a religion that means a lot to him, and goes along with what he truly believes in. He still follows the same God he's always loved, but feels as though he fully belongs. Brian met the love of his life in this religion and continues to write books about his journey and God's grace with others. "But now i cry out to the true God and know that i hold irrevocable citizenship in his kingdom (Mackert276)."